# Word 'paste' default and View options **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 30, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-paste-default-and-view-options/515744 "2009-10-30T17:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-paste-default-and-view-options/515744/1 "2009-10-30T17:05:19Z")
Two quick questions about compy things that are driving me crazy. 1. If I cut and paste something into Word, I can go Paste \> Paste Special \> Unformatted text. But this is more or less _always_ the option I want. Can I set up ‘paste as unformatted text’ as my default, instead of having to select it each time? 2. Suppose I’m using a photo application such as Photoshop Elements. When I want to open a file, I can go ‘Open’ and browse through directories and their contents. I notice some directories come up in Thumbnail view, some come up in List view. What governs this? I _always_ want the info in List view, and it gets tedious having to select List view if this isn’t what I’m shown in the first place. Can I somehow persuade _all_ my dirs to come up in List view, every time I access them? ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-paste-default-and-view-options/515744/2 "2009-10-30T17:31:34Z")
1. If you’re using Word 2007, you can do this by clicking Office (circular button in upper left) -\> Word Options -\> Advanced, then under “Cut, copy, and paste”, selecting “Keep Text Only” from each of the drop-downs. If you’re using 2003, the only way I know of to do this is to create a macro and assign it to Ctrl + V; if this is the case, let me know and I’ll post detailed instructions. 2. Assuming you’re using XP, open any folder and set the View to “List”. Then, click Tools -\> Folder Options, select the View tab, click “Apply to all folders”, and click “Yes” to confirm. Click OK to exit the folder options, and you’re set. If you’re using Vista, there’s an item in Control Panel called Folder Options. Open this, select the View tab, click Advanced, and set the default view to List. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-paste-default-and-view-options/515744/3 "2009-10-30T17:32:19Z")
I don’t know if there is a workaround for #1 from within Word, but someone here at the SDMB suggested the little tiny app called [PureText](http://www.stevemiller.net/puretext/) once, and I am totally in love with it. The nice thing about it is that it allows me to paste unformatted text into ANY app, not just Word. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-paste-default-and-view-options/515744/4 "2009-10-31T01:13:49Z")
A related question: Frequently I would like to copy text and maintain the underlining, boldface and italics, but not any other text characteristics (i.e. font, paragraph data, etc.). Is there any way to do this? ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-paste-default-and-view-options/515744/5 "2009-10-31T12:29:48Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > Help Thank you. The ‘Word’ problem is fixed. ‘View’ problem remains when using Photoshop Elements or an old (but perfectly good) version of Photoshop 5.0 Limited Edition. Folders sometimes come up in List view, sometimes in ‘Thumbs’ view. Can’t discover what governs this. Can’t see how to change it or establish a default. Did what you suggested, no difference. Windows XP Media Edition 5.1, SP 2.